Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ive bought a baby female columbian red tail boa about three months ago, i usually feed her an adult mouse every ten days. She is housed in a rubbermaid container and i have vegetation and branches for climbing as well as hollowed out logs for hide boxes. I have a screen i place on top of the enclosure during the day with one heap lamp and a heating pad under the left (hot spot) side of the container. it usually stays at 88-94f during the day and 72-76 at night.

Ill be leaving for afghanistan soon (go guard) and am wondering if i bought this baby boa a ten gallon tank or so with screen top, heating lamp and heat pad on one side of the tank and any suggestions for decoration or bedding? This is my first boa i have had alot of pythons in the past that like to bask in the heat hime, are boas not baskers? Id also like to ask if i should mist my cage with water to keep the hummidity levels up...?

I know alot of people who say they just use rubbermaid containers with heating pads and keep the lid the rubbermaid lid on all the time, what do you recommend? Would i have to cut small breathing holes in the lid? What size rubbermaid should i get her? And how should i decorate? I want her to feel at home.

And one final question. the only petstore in my area is petsmart, they sell only fancy mice. I bought one the other day and got home and realized the mouse has been medicated with frontline and it could harm my snake... is this true? The people at petsmart said it would kill her?

Any advice is greatly appreciated! thanks in advance.

I'd suggest using the Rubbermaid with its own top and a heating pad of some type.
If its a reptile based type heating pad Flexwatt/Retpitherm type pad you should use a thermostat for sure to keep temps steady
and not too hot or cold.

Hears what you do for ventilation.
Take a soldering iron and melt little round holes in one end about
mid way up on the Rubbermaid container itself.

I always melt the holes on the opposite end I'll be heating, this
way a natural air induction / air intake will occur.

Hope that's helpful

Did you say you serve and will be serving in Afghanistan ?

Thankyou for your service !

Happy Thanksgiving

. . . Lar M

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Boas By Klevitz

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I would definitely not use any rodent that has been in contact, or been anywhere near even trace amounts of Frontline. While its toxicity to mammals and most birds is moderate to low in small amounts, it has been shown to be highly toxic to fish and reptiles.

Kelly

Hey there soldier. It sounds like you have the right idea, but the boa will need a larger enclosure then a 10 gallon. I asume that you will be in Afghanistan for 9-18months. So by the time you get back, your boa would have grown a good amount if properly cared for by whoever you are leaving her behind with. As far as the frontline, avoid all mice that have been in contact with it. Hope this info helps.
-LT Carlos R.
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Swift, Silent, Deadly